Macon moved to amend so that the inquiry should be whether it were not expedient to repeal the act.

Gallatin opposed the resolution on the ground that it was highly improper to take any measures at the present time which would change the defensive system of the country.

The resolution was negatived,--43 nays to 40 yeas.
One singular opposition of Gallatin is recorded towards the close of the session; the Committee on the Treasury Department reported an amendment to the act of establishment, providing that the secretary of the treasury shall lay before Congress, at the commencement of every session, a report on finance with plans for the support of credit, etc.
Gallatin and Nicholas opposed this bill, because it came down from the Senate, which had no constitutional right to originate a money bill; but Griswold and Harper at once took the correct ground that it was not a bill, but a report on the state of the finances, in which the Senate had an equal share with the House.

The bill was passed by a vote of 43 to 39.

It is worthy of note that the first report on the state of the finances communicated under this act was by Mr.Gallatin himself the next year, and that it was sent in to the Senate.